5 day courses

[barneyboo]

Could anyone tell me what the difference is between somebody that does a weeks course in tiling or plumbing and somebody who goes to college and does a proper course for a few years. I know people who did five day courses and their work looks just as good as an ex- apprentice\'s who has been doing it for many years, and their customers are practically in tears because they are so in awe of their work. Why is this?. Are they geniuses who can just do something straight away or are apprentices wasting many years doing unnecessary qualifications?. Thankyou for your help from someone who has no clue about these things.

[buildersmate]

Durr............. depth of knowledge? practice at dealing with more difficult construction approaches?
I doubt that there is an apprenticeship in tiling but you may know different.
I am qualified in neither of them but can make a damn good job of both - it just takes me longer than a tradesman.
With tiling it is largely about upfront planning the whole area to be tiled - and not laying a single tile until that is worked out. Cutting tiles accurately is partly practice, partly having the right tools.
Plumbing is far more technically complex because of the variety of different devices encountered. Working with gas and oil demand knowledge of specialists areas - with qualifications to prove it. Cutting copper and plastic pipework isn't difficult. Knowledge of Building Regs is required.

[Lil O'lady]

If you employ a trade who has five days total training, you are paying for him to gain experience literally at your expense. If you get away with a good job then you ought to put it don to luck and good fortune - I wouldn't like to think what would happen when complications arise. Like Buildersmate says, tiling isn't exactly rocket science but plumbing certainly has much more to it than cosmetic refits of suites and taps.